Nick Budnick

State Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, testifies to the Oregon House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee about a bill he sponsored to overhaul Measure 110 on March 28, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Rewrite of state's health care rationing law stalls in Salem

With a bill spearheaded by Rep. Rob Nosse of Portland facing opposition in Salem, Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi has laid out a different path to make changes to the state's 30-year-old cost-control program known as the prioritized list

Feb 12
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Ozempic insulin injection pen. | NATALIA VARLEI/SHUTTERSTOCK

Provider sues Kaiser for $377,000 citing disproven Ozempic ‘fraud’ claim

A new defamation suit filed by a physician assistant and Oregon Health & Science University educator says two state medical boards cleared him of a bogus allegation that led to his termination by Kaiser

Feb 10
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LUND REPORT ILLUSTRATION/SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon leaders need to act now to streamline health care, group says

Industry leaders, providers urge Gov. Tina Kotek to help forge a cohesive vision to drive down costs and help Oregonians with affordability

Feb 10
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SHUTTERSTOCK

New effort to phase out 30-year-old cost-control program in Oregon faces opposition

The state’s oft-controversial rationing program for the Medicaid-funded Oregon Health Plan is proving hard to kill, with new federal guidance complicating state officials’ latest attempt to make it go away

Feb 3
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ADAM SATRIA/UNSPLASH

Kotek calls telehealth pressure campaign ‘misleading’

Montana-based Charlie Health, a for-profit firm, is trying to keep operating in Oregon at a time when mental health services are in turmoil, but critics say its services need more oversight. The company says it's ready to sue.

Jan 29
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CHARLIE HEALTH WEBSITE SCREENSHOT

Montana telehealth firm ups the pressure on Gov. Tina Kotek

Charlie Health is taking its cause to the public as it tries to preserve access to Oregon Medicaid payments while providing mental health services using providers not licensed in Oregon. Others say the state is right to stress oversight and the use of providers licensed in Oregon to ensure quality care.

Jan 27
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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers plan focus on Oregon’s health care spending

A panel of legislators said the upcoming short session will involve difficult choices as they try to limit the harms of expected cuts

Jan 22
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SHUTTERSTOCK

For-profit telehealth company wants Oregon to fund unlicensed behavioral health providers for low-income youth, adults

An out-of-state private equity-backed firm using a program allowing mental health providers not licensed by the state is fighting to keep its services covered under the Oregon Health Plan, enlisting Rev. Al Sharpton and others in a wide-ranging campaign that could reach the Oregon Legislature

Jan 20
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Oregon Health & Science University | MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/OHSU

Furor grows over OHSU doctor’s demotion

Oregon Health & Science University is facing a revolt after removing Dr. Jennifer DeVoe, a national expert on the value of primary care, from her post

Jan 20
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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Health Authority seeks funds to pay for federal changes while cutting provider care payments

State health officials say they need to grow the agency's staffing to make needed IT changes, but some lawmakers on Tuesday questioned other aspects of the agency’s request — including its push to slash $170 million that primary care providers rely on to serve lower-income Oregonians

Jan 13
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